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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you need earbuds for casual music listening and occasional calls, the JBL Tune Flex with its better performance for music and low-latency mode could be more suitable, especially if you enjoy gaming or watching videos. However, if you prefer a stemless design and prioritize noise isolation, longer battery life, and the convenience of wireless charging for commuting or air travel, the JBL Tune Buds would be the better choice. The Tune Buds also have a better build quality score, but they don't perform as well as the Tune Flex for calls and meetings. Each has an integrated microphone, but neither is noted for exceptional mic quality. Both options are sweatproof and dustproof, great for exercising, but neither supports a lossless codec for audiophile-grade listening. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the JBL Tune Buds
- The JBL Tune Buds has no clear advantages over the JBL Tune Flex.
Advantages of the JBL Tune Flex
- Good for music
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.2
7.3
The JBL Tune Flex is good for music, while the JBL Tune Buds is only fair.
Gaming
5.4
8.5
The JBL Tune Flex is very good for gaming, while the JBL Tune Buds is poor.
Phone Calls
4.9
6.3
The JBL Tune Flex is only fair for phone calls, while the JBL Tune Buds is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
9.0
The JBL Tune Flex is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Tune Buds is poor.
TV and Video
6.1
7.8
The JBL Tune Flex is good for TV and video, while the JBL Tune Buds is only fair.
Battery
10.4 Hours
6.5 Hours
The JBL Tune Buds has 10.4 hours of battery life. The JBL Tune Flex has 6.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$70
$60
$50
$60
$70
$80
$90
$100
The JBL Tune Buds has a price of $70 and the JBL Tune Flex costs $60.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
6.7
6.5
The JBL Tune Buds and JBL Tune Flex are both only fair for noise reduction.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The JBL Tune Buds and JBL Tune Flex both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Tune Buds and the JBL Tune Flex compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Tune Buds | JBL Tune Flex |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$70 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | September 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.3/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.9/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6.1/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.6/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10.4 Hours | 6.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6.8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6/10 | 5.1/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 10.8 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
JBL Tune Buds
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Tim Gideon | September 2023
"JBL’s Tune Buds stick with the company’s signature bass-heavy sound by default, but a quality in-app EQ lets you sculpt the audio to taste. These noise-cancelling true wireless earphones also mitigate environmental distractions fairly well for the price and offer good battery life. If you're specifically seeking bold, bass-tuned audio out of the box, the Tune Buds are worth a listen."
JBL Tune Flex
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Dig into reviews and images
MajorHiFi
Gabby Bloch | May 2023
"JBL is offering a similar design and arguably better resolution than the more expensive AirPods 3rd Generation. Add to that a comfortable and versatile fit, an equalizer and pretty decent ANC, and you’ve got a quality wireless earphone. I would have loved longer battery life and more crystal calls, but for the price, you can’t complain. A solid deal overall."
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About JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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